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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/1987 Meeting M I NUT E S - Eugene City Council Lunch/Work Session McNutt Room--City Hall January 14, 1987 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten (11:30 a.m.-1:20 p.m.), Ruth Bascom, Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan, Robert Bennett. Mayor Obie called the work session to order. He welcomed former Mayor Gus Keller, Chairperson of the Riverfront Research Park Commission, and thanked Mr. Keller for the excellent work the commission is doing. I. RIVERFRONT RESEARCH PARK UPDATE e Mr. Keller reviewed the activities of the Riverfront Research Park Commission for the last six months. He said the project may have moved slower than some people wished but developing projects well takes time and costs money. He said the City and the University of Oregon negotiated a predevelopment agreement with The Carley Group, adopted goals and recommended their adoption by the council, and contracted with Battelle Institute and Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. for marketing and financial feasibility studies. He said The Carley Group selected the ELS/Elbasani & Logan Architects to design the master site plan for the Riverfront Research Park. He said ELS/Elbasani & Logan have experience in Eugene. Mr. Keller said he is pleased about recent news from the governor's office because it seems Eugene will have a "golden opportunity." He said Mr. Gleason would discuss the news. Cathy Briner of the Development Department reviewed future activities of the Riverfront Research Park Commission. She said the commission will consider the master site plan and the Riverfront zoning district. She reviewed the process for considering each of them. She said the Riverfront Special Area Study indicated that a special zoning district should be established. Mr. Gleason said Governor Goldschmidt's office has indicated the governor is interested in the Riverfront Research Park. The governor1s staff is studying the project to see what parts of it the State can help finance. He said the governor and his staff are committed to working with City representatives through the appropriate boards and commissions. Funds from the State Transportation Department could help get ingress and egress for the Riverfront Research Park. Mr. Gleason said it is important to get key organizations located in the Riverfront Research Park and the governor could help do that. e Mr. Gleason said State involvement will not preempt the plans of the Riverfront Research Park Commission to develop the master site plan. He said the governor is excited about creating jobs in research. MINUTES--EugeneCi ty Council Lunch/Work Session January 14, 1987 Page 1 e John Moseley, University of Oregon Vice President for Research, said University representatives have worked with Mayor Obie and Mr. Gleason to prepare information for the governor. He said University representatives want to identify University-related activities that are especially appropriate for the Riverfront Research Park. Answering questions from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Gleason said the master site plan will identify infrastructure improvements and when they should be undertaken. He said the City can borrow against tax increment funds after at least one industry has located in the Riverfront Park. Eugene Development Director Abe Farkas said ELS/Elbasani & Logan were involved in the Eugene Downtown Design Plan. Ms. Bascom wondered if ELS/Elbasani & Logan adequately understand the need to replace the playing field that is on the Riverfront property now. Mr. Moseley responded that University buildings, as well as the playing field, will be relocated. He said written documents indicate that all University activities existing in the area now will receive at least equal facilities when they are relocated. Ms. Bascom said it is important that the Riverfront project be managed so that local architects and consultants can participate in it. Ms. Briner said Carley Group representatives have indicated that ELS/Elbasani & Logan have been retained only to design the master site plan. Consequently, local architects may be involved later. Mayor Obie said he agrees with Ms. Bascom that local architects should be involved in the project or the reasons why they are not involved should be 4It publicized. Mayor Obie said he and several councilors will be going to Washington, D.C., in February and will be glad to work with University representatives in contacting people there to assist with the project. Mayor Obie said Mr. Gleason has done an excellent job in coordinating the efforts of many people to get support for the Riverfront Research Park. Mr. Bennett said it is important to have experienced people design a development project. He said he hopes the Eugene architects realize that the Riverfront Research Park is a complex, regional project and needs specialized expertise. Mr. Keller said the Riverfront Research Commission members want local people to be involved in the project if possible. Mayor Obie adjourned the work session about 12:10 p.m. ~~ Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) mncc0114 e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch/Work Session January 14, 1987 Page 2